"Thank You, We Love You"... Songpa District to Hold 53rd Parents' Day Commemoration Event

Parents' Day Ceremony and Cultural Events to Be Held at Songpa Senior Welfare Center on May 8
Award Recipients to Share Their Reflections, Fostering Intergenerational Empathy and Community Respect

Songpa District (District Mayor Seo Gangseok) announced that it will hold the "53rd Parents' Day Commemoration Event" at 10:20 a.m. on May 8 at the Songpa Senior Welfare Center in Samjeon-dong.

This event, under the theme "May Love, Practicing Filial Piety in Spring," is intended to express respect and gratitude to seniors and to foster communication and empathy between generations.

During the ceremony, awards will be presented to eight individuals or groups who have practiced filial piety and sharing. The event will also feature various celebratory performances and experiential activities.

This year, in particular, two of the award recipients will take the stage to share their thoughts in person. This aims to reflect on the meaning of Parents' Day and to spread respect by sharing the recipients' heartfelt stories.

In the volunteer category, Choi Sunja (83) will be recognized for her long-standing dedication to volunteering for her peers in the local community. Since 2007, she has shared her talents as a Smart Senior Instructor, a member of the Silver Puppet Theater Volunteer Group, and a counselor, drawing on her previous experience in consumer counseling. As of March this year, her volunteer hours have reached 2,097.

Choi stated, "Sharing life and supporting each other within the same generation has brought me great joy. As long as my health allows, I want to continue volunteering," expressing her gratitude for being selected.

The Department of Senior Sports and Welfare at Korea National Sport University was also selected in the same category. Department head Park Chaehee (52) shared, "By running weekly physical activity programs for seniors at the welfare center, I learned that exercise can be a bridge not only for physical health but also for opening hearts. I will continue to share what I have learned with the community and grow together with the seniors," reflecting on their activities.

After the ceremony, a variety of cultural performances, including trot, Nanta, and hula dance, are scheduled to take place.

In addition, various programs for seniors will be held throughout the welfare center, including: ▲Carnation pinning ▲Photo zone event ▲Free eye exams by BGN Bright Eye Clinic ▲Health consultations in cooperation with an oriental medicine hospital ▲Samgyetang sharing event of love, and more.

The district is preparing to open the Munjeong Senior Welfare Center in June. This will be the first new comprehensive senior welfare facility in the area in 29 years since the opening of the Songpa Senior Welfare Center. The new facility, spanning from the first basement level to the fourth basement level (with a total floor area of 3,257.43 square meters), will provide customized services to enhance seniors' quality of life, including IT education, leisure programs, and health management.

Seo Gangseok, Mayor of Songpa District, stated, "Parents' Day is a day to empathize with the lives and values of each and every senior. Songpa District will continue to practice 'servant administration' through practical and warm welfare so that seniors can be respected and enjoy a happy later life."